Hydrocracking catalyst comprising a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate component, a group viii component and gold, process using said catalyst

ABSTRACT

A hydrocracking catalyst comprising a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component, 0.01 to 2.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as the metal, of a hydrogenating component selected from platinum and compounds thereof, palladium and compounds thereof, rhodium and compounds thereof, ruthenium and compounds thereof, iridium and compounds thereof, and nickel and compounds thereof, and 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as the metal, of a hydrogenating component selected from the group consisting of gold and compounds thereof, and processes using said catalyst.

United States Patent Inventor Sigmund M. Csicsery Lafayette, Calif.

Appl. No. 836,302

Filed June 25, 1969 Patented Nov. 2, 1971 Assignee Chevron Research Company San Franicsco,.Calif. The portion of the term of the patent subsequent to Dec. 15, I978, has been disclaimed.

HYDROCRACKING CATALYST COMPRISING A LAYERED CLAY-TYPE CRYSTALLINE ALUMINOSILICATE COMPONENT, A GROUP Vlll COMPONENT AND GOLD, PROCESS USING SAID CATALYST 21 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 208/60, 208/111, 252/455 2 Int. Cl C10g 13/02 Field of Search 208/60, 1 1 1; 252/455 Primary Examiner-Delbert E. Gantz Assistant ExaminerM. Bruskin Attorneys-A. L. Snow, F. E. Johnston, C. J. Tonkin and Roy H. Davies ABSTRACT: A hydrocracking catalyst comprising a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component, 0.01 to 2.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as the metal, of a hydrogenating component selected from platinum and compounds thereof, palladium and compounds thereof, rhodium and compounds thereof, ruthenium and compounds thereof, iridium and compounds thereof, and nickel and compounds thereof, and 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as the metal, of a hydrogenating component selected from the group consisting of gold and compounds thereof, and processes using said catalyst.

HYDROCRACKING CATALYST COMPRISING A LAYERED CLAY-TYPE CRYSTALLINE ALUMINOSILICATE COMPONENT, A GROUP VIII COMPONENT AND GOLD, PROCESS USING SAID CATALYST INTRODUCTION This invention relates to catalytic hydrocracking of hydrocarbons, including petroleum distillates and solventdeasphalted residua to produce high-value fuel products, including gasoline.

PRIOR ART It is well known that a wide variety of crystalline zeolitic molecular sieves may be used as the cracking component of hydrocracking catalysts. It is also well known that the preferred, the most commonly used, hydrogenating components associated with these zeolitic cracking supports are platinum and palladium. Rabo et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,236,761, for example, provides a particular type of decationized zeolitic molecular sieve catalyst, which may be used in some reactions without added metals, and in some reactions with added metals. The various applicable reactions are isomerization, reforming, cracking, polymerization, alkylation, dealkylation, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation and hydrocracking. Gold is named as a metal with which the molecular sieve may be loaded, but it is not clear from the patent which reactions such a catalyst would be used to catalyze. No example of a goldmolecular sieve catalyst is given, and the hydrocracking portion of. the disclosure indicates that the molecular sieve catalyst of the patent may be used for hydrocracking without added metals, but preferably with added platinum or palladium if a metal-loaded molecular sieve is to be used. Further, because of the great stress placed by the Rabo et al. patent on Group Vlll metals in association with a molecular sieve cracking component, and particularly the Group VIII noble metals, and the absence of any interest in gold except a passing mention, there is no guide in the patent either as to the applicability of a gold-molecular sieve catalyst for the hydrocracking reaction in particular, or to the amount of gold sucha catalyst should contain, or as to the hydrocracking results that might be expected.

It is also known in the art to use gold in association with a gel-type silica-alumina cracking component for the hydrocracking of hydrocarbon fractions. However, it is also known that such a catalyst has low hydrocracking activity. Further, a hydrocracking catalyst having a silica-alumina cracking component is extremely nitrogen-sensitive, and the hydrocarbon feed hydrocracked in the presence of such a catalyst must be pretreated to reduce the nitrogen content to a low level; more than minor amounts of nitrogen in the hydrocarbon feed have an intolerable poisoning effect on the acid sites of the cracking component of the catalyst, seriously diminishing cracking activity.

It is also known that a crystalline zeolitic molecular sieve cracking component, while relatively insensitive to organic nitrogen compounds and ammonia, has a well-ordered and uniform pore structure as a result of the crystal structure having bonds that are substantially equally strong in three dimensions. This provides definite limitations on the access of reactant molecules to the interiors of the pores.

It is also known, particularly from Granquist U.S. Pat. No. 3,252,757, that a relatively new layered crystalline aluminosilicate mineral that has been synthesized has the empirical formula nSiO, 1 A1 0, mAB XH,O, where the layer lattices comprise said silica, said alumina, and said B, and where n is from 2.4 to 3.0

m is from 0.2 to 0.6

A is one equivalent of an exchangeable cation having a valence not greater than 2, and is external to the lattice,

B is chosen from the group of negative ions which consists of F, 0H, 5&0" and mixtures thereof, and is internal in the lattice, and

x is from 2.0 to 3.5 at 50 percent relative humidity, said mineral being characterized by a d spacing at said humidity within the range which extends from a lower limit of about 10.4 A to an upper limit of about 12.0 A when A is monovalent, to about 14.7 A when A is divalent, and to a value intermediate between 12.0 A and 14.7 A when A includes both monovalent and divalent cations. Upon drying and calcination whereby all or substantially all of the water is removed, said d spacing changes because of structural contraction of the mineral. The equivalent of an exchangeable eation, A, in said catalyst may be chosen from the group consisting of 11*, NH ,Na Li K, liCa, AMg', %Sr**, and lBa, and mixtures thereof. d y! sfl'rmi satwiss crystalline aluminosilicate, which term as used herein is in tended to include dehydrated fonns of said synthetic mineral, similar synthetic minerals, and corresponding identical and similar natural minerals.

Said aluminosilicate mineral, in the dehydrated fonn, is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,252,889 to have application as a component of a catalytic cracking catalyst; however, applications of said mineral as a component of a hydrocracking catalyst have not been disclosed-heretofore, except in other patent applications of the assignee of the present application OBJECTS In view of the foregoing, objects of the present invention include providing a novel catalyst useful for hydrocracking, and a novel hydrocracking process using said catalyst, said catalyst:

1. Having a cracking component less sensitive to nitrogen poisoning than silica-alumina gel;

2. Having a cracking component that is crystalline in structure, having pores elongated in two directions, contrary to the pores of crystalline zeolitic molecular sieves, and therefore having less reactant access limitations than the pores of such molecular sieves;

3. Having a first hydrogenating component providing increased activity and stability to said catalyst, compared with a similar catalyst not containing said component;

4. Having a second hydrogenating component providing additional stability to said catalyst, compared with the same catalyst which contains said first hydrogenating component but not said second hydrogenating component.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide various embodiments of a hydrocracking process using a catalyst having the aforesaid characteristics, including a methods of further improving catalyst stability, and methods of of operating the hydrocracking process in an integrated manner which other process units to achieve various advantageous results.

The present invention will best be understood, and further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent, from the following description when, read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

DRAWING In the drawing,

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of apparatus and flow paths suitable for carrying out the process of several of the embodiments of the present invention, including embodiments wherein a hydrofining zone precedes the hydrocracking zone, and embodiments wherein a selected fraction from the hydrocracking zone is catalytically reformed;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of apparatus and flow paths suitable for carrying out the process of additional embodiments of the present invention, including embodiments wherein a hydrofining zone precedes a hydrocracking zone in a single reactor shell, and embodiments wherein a selected fraction from the hydrocracking zone is catalytically cracked.

l is a layered clay type STATEMENT OF INVENTION It has been found that a catalyst comprising a layered claytype crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component, for example the layered synthetic clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate mineral of Granquist US. Pat. No. 3,252,757, in dehydrated form, and hydrogenating component selected from platinum and compounds thereof, palladium and compounds thereof, rhodium and compounds thereof, ruthenium and compounds thereof, nickel and compounds thereof, and iridium and compounds thereof, in an amount of 0.01 to 2.0 weight percent, calculated as metal, and a gold or gold compound hydrogenating component in an amount of 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent, calculated as metal and based on said cracking component, has all of the desirable catalyst attributes listed under objects above, and, therefore, in accordance with the present invention there is provided such a catalyst and a hydrocracking process using such a catalyst. It is not obvious from Rabo et al. US. Pat. No. 3,236,761 that a gold-crystalline zeolitic molecular sieve catalyst has application as a hydrocracking, catalyst, or what gold levels such a catalyst should contain. it is even less obvious from Rabo et al. that not only should gold be used as a component of a hydrocracking catalyst, but that the layered synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate mineral-of Granquist U.S. Pat. No. 3,252,757, could be usedinstead of a crystalline zeolitic molecular sieve. It has been found that the catalyst of thepresent invention surprisingly provides advantages over the Rabo et al. platinum or palladium on molecular sieve hydrocracking catalyst, while unexpectedly being free from disadvantages that the art would lead one to expect. In particular, in the catalyst of the present invention: (l) the presence of the gold component results in a catalyst of higher stability than a catalyst that is identical, except that contains no gold; and (2) the presence of the component selected from platinum and compounds thereof, palladium and compounds thereof iridium and compounds thereof, rhodium and compounds thereof and ruthenium and compounds thereof, nickel and compounds thereof, results in a catalyst of higher activity and stability than a catalyst that is identical except that contains no such Group Vlll component.

In accordance with the present invention, therefore, there is provided a hydrocracking catalyst comprising a layered, claytype crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component, 0.01 to 2.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as themetal of a hydrogenating component selected from platinum and compounds thereof, palladium and compounds thereof, iridium and compounds thereof, rhodium and compounds thereof, ruthenium and compounds thereof, and nickel and compounds thereof, and 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as the metal, of a hydrogenating component selected from gold and compounds thereof, said cracking compound having, prior to drying and calcining of said catalyst, the empirical formula nSiO, A1 0, :mAB xii- O where the layer latices'comprise said silica, said alumina, and said 8, and where n is from 2.4 to 3.0

m is from 0.2 to 0.6

A is one equivalent of an exchangeable cation having a valence not greater than 2, and is external to the lattice,

B is chosen from the group of negative ions which consists of F OH, ro 'and mixtures thereof, and is internal in the lattice, and

x is from 2.0 to 3.5 at 50 percent relative humidity,

said mineral being characterized by d spacing at said humidity with the range which extends from a lower limit of about 10.4 Angstroms to an upper limit of about 12.0 Angstroms when A is monovalent, to about 14.7 Angstroms and A is divalent, and to a value intermediate between 12.0 Angstroms and 14.7 Angstroms when A includes both monovalent and divalent cations, and

Further in accordance with the present invention there is provided a catalyst effective for various hydrocarbon conversion reactions, including hydrocracking, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrification, hydrogenation and hydroisomerization, comprising:

A. A dehydrated layer-type, crystalline claylike mineral cracking component which prior to dehydration has the empirical formula nSiO Ano, mAB Ari-1,0,

where the layer lattices comprise said silica, said alumina, and said 8, and where n is from 2.4 to 3.0 m is from 0.2 to 0.6

A is one equivalent of an exchangeable cation having a valence not greater than 2, and is external to the lattice, B is chosen from the group of negative ions which consists of F, 0H, /O"and mixtures thereof, and is internal in the lattice, and x is from 2.0 to 3.5 at 50 percent relative humidity, said mineral being characterized by a d spacing at said humidity within the range which extends from a lower limit of about 10.4 A. to an upper limit of about 12.0 A. when A is monovalent, to about 14.7 A. when A is divalent, and to a value intermediate between 12.0 A. and 14.7 A. when A includes both monovalent and divalent cations, and

B. A hydrogenating component selected from platinum and compounds thereof, palladium and compounds thereof, rhodium and compounds thereof, ruthenium and compounds thereof, nickel and compounds thereof, and iridium and compounds thereof, in an amount of 0.01 to 2.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as metal, and a hydrogenating component selected from gold and compounds thereof, in an amount of 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as metal.

Said cracking component may be present in said catalyst in an amount of 10 to 99.9 weight percent, based on the total catalyst. If desired, said catalyst may further comprise a crystalline zeolitic molecular sieve cracking component in the amount of l to 50 weight percent, based on the total catalyst. The equivalent of an exchangeable cation, A, in said catalyst may be chosen from the group consisting of H*, NHJ, Na, Li, K, zfiCa', kMg, /&Sr"*, and %Ba*", and mixtures thereof.

Said catalyst additionally may comprise a component selected from the group consisting of alumina and silica-alumina and a hydrogenating component selected from the group consisting of Group VI metals and compounds thereof. When the catalyst comprises alumina or silica-alumina, titania advantageously may be present also. When the catalyst comprises nickel or a compound thereof, tin or a compound thereof advantageously may be present also. When said catalyst comprises said. additional components, preferably the catalyst is prepared by coprecipitation of all noncrystalline components to from, followed by filtering washing and drying to produce a hydrogel matrix having said crystalline component (or components) dispersed therethrough. Preferably the finished catalyst will have substantially all of the Group Vl metals located in the matrix, and said crystalline component (or components) will be in the ammonia or hydrogen form, and will contain substantially all of the hydrogenating metals, for example palladium and gold, that are required in the catalyst of the present invention. This result will be obtained if said crystalline component (or components), loaded with the hydrogenating metals required in the catalyst of the present invention, is added to the slurry of other catalyst components at a pH of 5 or above. Alternatively, said crystalline component substantially in the hydrogen or ammonia form and substantially free of all catalytic loading metals (containing less that 0.2 weight percent of catalytic metal or metals) may be contained in the finished catalyst. This result will be obtained if the crystalline component, in the ammonia, hydrogen or sodium form, is added to the slurry of other catalytic components, including the hydrogenating metals required in the catalyst of the present invention, at a pH of 5 or above.

Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a hydrocracking process which comprises contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock containing substantial amounts of materials boiling above 200 F. and selected from the group consisting of petroleum distillates, solvent-deasphalted petroleum residua, shale oils and coal tar distillates, in a reac tion zone with hydrogen and the aforesaid catalyst comprising a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate at hydrocracking conditions including a temperature in the range 400 to 950 F., a pressure in the range 800 to 3,500 p.s.i.g., a liquid hourly space velocity in the range 0.l to 5.0 and a total hydrogen supply rate of 200 to 20,000 s.c.f. of hydrogen per barrel of said feedstock, and recovering from said reaction zone valuable products, including gasoline, The hydrogen feedstock preferably contains less than 1,000 p. .m.

organic nitrogen. A prior hydrofining step may be used, if

desired, to reduce the feed nitrogen content to the preferred level; however, because of the superior nitrogen tolerance of the layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate component, compared with silica-alumina, the hydrofining step need not accomplish complete nitrogen content reduction, as further discussed hereinafter.

Further in accordance with the present invention, advantageous results are obtained by providing in the reaction zone, in addition to said catalyst comprising a layered claytype crystalline aluminosilicate, a separate second catalyst comprising a hydrogenating component selected from group Vl metals and compounds thereof, a hydrogenating component selected from group Vlll metals and compounds thereof, and a component selected from the group consisting of alumina and silica-alumina. Further in accordance with the present invention said separate second catalyst may be located in said reaction zone in a bed disposed above said catalyst comprising a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component. in the embodiments of the present invention discussed in this paragraph, no other prior hydrofining step generally will be necessary, because hydrofining is accomplished in one reaction zone concurrently with hydrocracking, together with some hydrogenation of aromatics.

Still further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a hydrocracking process which comprises sequentially contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock and hydrogen with a first bed of catalyst and then with a second bed of catalyst, said catalyst beds both being located within a single elongated reactor pressure shell, said first bed of catalyst being located in an upper portion of said shell, the catalyst of said first bed comprising a hydrogenating component selected from the group consisting of group Vl metals and compounds thereof and group Vlll metals and compounds thereof, and a component selected from the group consisting of alumina and silica-alumina, the catalyst of said second bed being said catalyst comprising a layered clay'type crystalline aluminosilicate, maintaining said first bed of catalyst and said second bed of catalyst at a temperature in the range 400 to 950 F. and a pressure in the range 800 to 3,500 p.s.i.g. during said contacting, maintaining the total supply rate of said hydrogen into said reactor shell from 200 to 20,000 s.c.f. of hydrogen per barrel of said feedstock, and recovering a gasoline product from the efiluent of said second bed of catalyst.

The hydrocracking zone of the process of the present invention may be operated once through, or advantageously may be operated by recycling thereto materials from the effluent thereof that boil above 200 F. preferably above 400 F. All or a portion of these heavier materials advantageously may be catalytically cracked. The heavy gasoline fraction from the hydrocracking zone advantageously may be catalytically reformed.

HYDROCARBON FEEDSTOCKS The feedstocks supplied to the hydrocracking zone containing the catalyst comprising a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate in the process of the present invention are selected from the group consisting of petroleum distillates, solvent-deasphalted petroleum residua, shale oils and coal tar distillates. The feedstocks contain substantial amounts of materials boiling above 200 F., preferably substantial amounts of materials boiling in the range 350 to 950 F., and more preferably in the range 400 to 900 F. Suitable feedstocks include those heavy distillates normally defined as heavy straight-run gas oils and heavy cracked cycle oils, as well as conventional FCC feed portions thereof. Cracked stocks may be obtained from thermal or catalytic cracking of various stocks, including those obtained from petroleum, gilsonite, shale and coal tar. As discussed hereinafter, the feedstocks may have been subjected to a hydrofining and/or hydrogenation treatment, which may have been accompanied by some hydrocracking, before being supplied to the hydrocracking zone containing said catalyst comprising a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate.

NITROGEN CONTENT OF FEEDSTOCKS While the process of the present invention can be practiced with utility when supplying to the hydrocracking zone containing a catalyst comprising a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate, hydrocarbon feeds containing relatively large quantities of organic nitrogen, for example several thousand parts per million organic nitrogen, it is preferred that the organic nitrogen content by less than 1,000 parts per million; more preferably, 0.5 to parts per million. As previously discussed, a prior hydrofining step may be used, if desired, to reduce the feed nitrogen content to the preferred level. The prior hydrofining step advantageously may also accomplish hydrogenation and a reasonable amount of hydrocracking. Because of the superior tolerance of the layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate component for organic nitrogen compounds, compared with silica-alumina, the hydrofining step need not accomplish complete organic nitrogen content reduction. Further, because of the superior tolerance of said component for ammonia, compared with silica-alumina, and because said component is more tolerant of ammonia than of organic nitrogen compounds, ammonia produced in the hydrofining zone either may be removed from the system between the hydrofining zone and the hydrocracking zone containing the hydrocracking catalyst comprising said component, or may be permitted to pass into the hydrocracking zone along with the feed thereto.

SULFUR CONTENT OF FEEDSTOCK While the process of the present invention can be practiced with utility when supplying to the hydrocracking zone, containing a catalyst comprising a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate, hydrocarbon feeds containing relatively large quantities of organic sulfur, it is preferable to maintain the organic sulfur content of the feed to that zone in a range of 0 to 3 weight percent, preferably 0 to 1 weight percent.

Catalyst Comprising a Layered Clay-Type Crystalline Aluminosilicate Component, a Gold or Gold Compound l-lydrogenating Component, and a l-lydrogenating Component Selected from Platinum and Compounds Thereof, Palladium and Compounds Thereof, Iridium and Compounds Thereof, Rhodium and Compounds Thereof, Ruthenium and Compounds Thereof, and Nickel and Compounds Thereof A. General The layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate used in preparing the catalyst may be any catalytically active layered clay-type aluminosilicate, although the synthetic mineral, in dehydrated form, described above and in Granquist U.S. Pat. No. 3,252,757 is preferred. The hydrated mineral described in Granquist U.S. Pat. No. 3,252,757 may be used during combination of the various catalyst components; upon drying and calcination of the catalyst the mineral is converted to the dehydrated form. This component will be present in the catalyst in an amount of 10 to 99.9 weight percent, based on the total catalyst.

The gold hydrogenating component of the catalyst may be present in the final catalyst in the form of the metal, metal oxide, metal sulfide, or a combination thereof. The gold or compound thereof may be combined with the layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component, or may be combined with other catalyst components in which said cracking component is dispersed, or both. In any case, the gold will be present inan amount of 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as the metal.-

When a conventional crystalline zeolitic molecular sieve cracking component is included in the catalyst said molecular sieve cracking component may be of any type that is known in the art as a useful component of a conventional hydrocracking catalyst comprising a Group VIII noble metal or noblemetal-compound hydrogenating component. A decationized molecular sieve cracking component is preferred. Especially suitable are faujasite, particularly formq Y type and X type faujasite, and mordenite, in the ammonia form, hydrogen form, alkaline earth-exchanged form, or rare earthexchanged form.

The hydrogenating component of the catalyst that is selected from platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium nickel, and compounds of platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium, and nickel may be present in the final catalyst in the form of the metal oxide, metal sulfide, or a combination thereof. This component may be combined with the layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component, or may be combined with other catalyst components in which said aluminosilicate cracking component is dispersed, or both. In any case, the component will be present in an amount of 0.01 to 2.0 weight percent, based on said aluminosilicate cracking component and calculated as the metal.

A preferred catalyst comprises a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component intimately dispersed in a matrix of other catalytic components comprising alumina, silica-alumina, or silica-alumina-titania. The gold or compound thereof, and the platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium or nickel, or compound of platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, or nickel, or compound of platinum palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium or nickel, may be combined with said aluminosilicate cracking component before the latter is dispersed in the matrix, or the gold or compound thereof and the platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, or compound of platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium, or nickel may be a portion of the matrix. Examples of suitable matrices, in addition to matrices consisting of alumina or silica-alumina, include matrices comprising: (a) palladium or a compound thereof and gold or a compound thereof and silica-alumina; (b) palladium or a compound thereof and gold or a compound compound thereof and gold or a compound thereof and alumina; (c iridium or a compound thereof and gold or a compound thereof and alumina; (d) iridium or a compound thereof and gold or a compound thereof and silica-alumina; (e) platinum or a compound thereof and gold or a thereof and alumina, (f) platinum or a thereof and silica-alumina; (3) gold or a compound thereof and nickel or a compound thereof and alumina or silica-alumina; if desired, the nickel or compound thereof may be accompanied by tin or a compound thereof and/or by a group Vl metal or compound thereof.

B. Method of Preparation The layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate mineral cracking component of the catalyst may be prepared, in hydrated form, in the manner set forth in Granquist U.S. Pat. No. 3,252,757. This form of the mineral may be used to combine with the other catalyst components; during drying and calcining of the resulting composition to produce the final catalyst, said mineral is converted to the dehydrated form. Alternatively, the mineral may be dehydrated and then impregnated with desired compounds.

In the case wherein gold or a compound thereof and platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, nickel, or compound of platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium or nickel are added directly to the layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component, impregnation using aqueous solutions of suitable hydrogenating metal compounds or adsorption of suitable hydrogenating metal compounds or adsorption of suitable hydrogenating metal compounds are operable methods of incorporating the hydrogenating component or compounds thereof into said aluminosilicate component. Ion exchange methods whereby the hydrogenating components are incorporated into said aluminosilicate component by exchanging those components with a metal component already present in said aluminosilicate component may be used. However, such methods require use of compounds wherein the metals to be introduced into said aluminosilicate component are present as cations.

In the case wherein said aluminosilicate cracking component first is dispersed in a matrix of other catalytic components and gold or a compound thereof and platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, or a compound of platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium or nickel are introduced into the resulting composition, impregnation using an aqueous solution of suitable hydrogenating component compounds or adsorption of suitable hydrogenating component compounds are the preferred methods.

It is highly preferred that the gold component used in the impregnation or adsorption step be auric chloride. Most other gold compounds are soluble only in solutions which destroy the crystallinity of the layered aluminosilicate cracking component.

The platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium or nickel compound used in preparing the catalyst may be any convenient compound, for example platinum, palladium or iridium chloride, tetra ammino palladium nitrate, etc.

Where the layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate component, with or without added hydrogenating components, is dispersed in a matrix of other catalyst components, the dispersion may be accomplished by coprecipitation, or by cogelation of said other components around said aluminosilicate component in a conventional manner.

Following combination of the catalyst components, the resulting composition may be washed free of impurities and dried at a temperature in the range 500 to l,200 F., preferably 900 to l,l50 F., for a reasonable time, for example 0.5 to 48 hours, preferably 0.5 to 20 hours.

The finished catalyst may be sulfided in a conventional manner prior to use, if desired. If not presulfided, the catalyst will tend to become sulfided during process operation from any sulfur compounds that may be present in the hydrocarbon feed. As discussed elsewhere herein, the equilibrium degree of sulfiding at a given operating temperature will be different than in corresponding catalytic system wherein a noble metal component alone is present, with no gold being present.

Separate Hydrofining Catalyst A. General As previously indicated, advantageous results are obtained by providing in the reaction zone containing the hydrocracking catalyst of the present invention a separate second catalyst comprising a hydrogenating component selected from Group VI metals and compounds thereof, a hydrogenating component selected from Group VIII metals and compounds thereof, and a support selected form the group consisting of alumina and silica-alumina. Pellets or other particles of this separate second catalyst may be physically mixed with said hydrocracking catalyst, but preferably are disposed in a separate catalyst bed located ahead of said hydrocracking catalyst in the same reactor shell, eliminating interstage condensation, pressure letdown and ammonia and hydrogen sulfide removal. In a preferred arrangement using downflow of hydrocarbon feed, the bed of separate second catalyst is located above said hydrocracking catalyst in the same reactor shell.

Where said separate second catalyst is located in the same reactor shell as the hydrocracking catalyst of the present invention, it is preferably present in an amount in the range of 10 to 40 volume percent of the total amount of catalyst in the reactor.

In an arrangement less preferred than the ones discussed above in this section, the separate second catalyst may be located in a separate hydrofining reactor, operated under conventional hydrofining conditions, from the effluent of which ammonia or hydrogen sulfide, or both, and also hydrocarbon products, if desired, may be removed prior to hydrocracking the remaining hydrofined feedstock in a subsequent hydrocracking reactor in the presence of the catalyst of the present invention.

In any of the arrangements discussed in this section, the separate second catalyst preferably has hydrofining activity and hydrogenation activity, and even more preferably also has enough hydrocracking activity to convert 0.2 to 50, preferably to 20, weight percent of the hydrocarbon feedstock to products boiling below the initial boiling point of the feedstock in a single pass. The hydrogenation activity preferably is sufficient to saturate or partially saturate a substantial portion of the organic oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur compounds in the feed to water, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.

Preferably, said separate second catalyst contains nickel or cobalt or compounds thereof in an amount of l to 15 weight percent, calculated as metal, and molybdenum or tungsten or compounds thereof, in an amount of 5 to 30 weight percent, calculated as metal, with the remainder of the catalyst consisting of alumina, or silica-alumina containing up to 50 weight percent silica.

Particularly preferred examples of said separate second catalyst, comprising silica-alumina, are:

k by weight of total catalyst, SiO,/Al,0, calculated as metal weight ratio Ni Mo W 1. 4-40 l5-25 /90 to30/70 2. 6-15 -30 30/70 to50/S0 B. METHOD OF PREPARATION Said separate second catalyst may be prepared by any conventional preparation method, including impregnation of an alumina or silica-alumina support with salts of the desired hydrogenating component, or cogelation of all components, with the latter method being preferred.

As previously pointed out, the hydrocracking catalyst of the present invention has activity and stability advantages over certain conventional hydrocracking catalysts. It has been found that use of said separate second catalyst in the abovedescribed arrangements further increases the stability of the hydrocracking catalyst of the present invention, compared with the stability of the latter catalyst when the identical feed 10 thereto has not been firstTiFcor icurrently processed in the presence of said separate second catalyst.

OPERATING CONDITIONS The hydrocracking zone containing the catalyst of the present invention is operated at hydrocracking conditions including a temperature in the range 400 to 950 F., preferably 500 to 850 F., a pressure in the range 800 to 3,500 p.s.i.g., preferably 1,000 to 3,000 p.s.i.g., and a liquid hourly space velocity in the range 0.1 to 5.0, preferably 0.5 to 5.0, and more preferably 0.5 to 3.0. The total hydrogen supply rate (makeup and recycle hydrogen) to said zone is 200 to 20,000 SCF, preferably 2,000 to 20,000 SCF, of hydrogen per barrel of said feedstock.

Where a separate hydrofining zone, which also may accomplish hydrogenation and some hydrocracking, is located ahead of the hydrocracking zone containing the catalyst of the present invention, the operating conditions in the separate hydrofining zone include a temperature of 400 to 900 F., preferably 500 to 800 F., a pressure of 800 to 3,500 p.s.i.g., preferably 1,000 to 2,500 p.s.i.g., and a liquid hourly space velocity of 0.1 to 5.0, preferably 0.5 to 3.0. The total hydrogen supply rate (makeup and recycle hydrogen) is 200 to 20,000 s.c.f. of hydrogen per barrel of feedstock, preferably 2,000 to 20,000 s.c.f. of hydrogen per barrel of feedstock.

Where a separate bed of hydrofining catalyst is located above a bed of the hydrocracking catalyst of the present invention in the same reactor shell, the space velocity through the bed of hydrofining catalyst will be a function of the space velocity through the hydrocracking catalyst bed and the amount of hydrofming catalyst expressed as a volume percent of the total catalyst in the reactor. For example, where the hydrofining catalyst is 25 volume percent of the total catalyst in the reactor, and the space velocity through the bed of hydrocracking catalyst if 0.9, the space velocity through the bed of hydrofining catalyst will be 2.7. Accordingly, the space velocity through the bed of hydrofining catalyst in the process of the present invention may range from 0.15 to 45.0.

The operating conditions in the reforming zone and catalytic cracking zone employed in various embodiments of the present invention are conventional conditions known in the art.

PROCESS OPERATION WITH REFERENCE TO DRAWING Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, in accordance with a primary embodiment of the present invention, a hydrocarbon feedstock as previously described, which in this case may boil above 400 F is passed through line 1 into hydrocracking zone 2, which contains a hydrocracking catalyst comprising a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component, 0.01 to 2.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component, of platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium or nickel, and 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component, of gold. As previously discussed, said layered aluminosilicate component may be dispersed in a matrix of other catalyst components, which matrix may contain all or a portion of the hydrogenating components. Also as previously discussed, a separate second catalyst, previously described, may be located in hydrocracking zone 2. The feedstock is hydrocracked in hydrocracking zone 2 at conditions previously discussed, in the presence of hydrogen supplied through line 3. From hydrocracking zone 2 an effluent is withdrawn through line 4, hydrogen is separated therefrom in separator 5, and hydrogen is recycled to hydrocracking zone 2 through line 6. From separator 5, hydrocracked materials are passed through lines 7 and 8 to distillation column 9, where they are separated into fractions, including a C. fraction which is withdrawn through line 10, a C -,-l F. fraction which is withdrawn through line 11, and a l80-400 F. fraction which is withdrawn through line 12.

Still referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the l80-400 F. fraction in line 12 is reformed under conventional catalytic reforming conditions in reforming zone 13, from which a catalytic reformate is withdrawn through line 14.

Still referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a hydrocarbon feedstock which is to be hydrofined and/or hydrogenated, and partially hydrocracked, if desired, in a separate hydrotreating zone prior to being hydrocracked in hydrocracking zone 2, is passed through line 15 to hydrotreating zone 16 containing a catalyst, as previously described, having hydrofining and/or hydrogenation activity. The feedstock is hydrotreated in zone 16 at conditions previously described, in the presence of hydrogen supplied through line 17. The effluent from hydrotreating zone 16 is passed through line 18 to separation zone 19, from which hydrogen separated from the treated feedstock is recycled through line 20 to hydrotreating zone 16. In zone 19, water entering through line 21 is used to scrub ammonia and other contaminants from the incoming hydrocarbon stream, and the ammonia, water and other contaminants are withdrawn from zone 19 through line 22. The scrubbed feedstock is passed through line 8 to distillation column 9 and thence to hydrocracking zone 2.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a hydrocarbon feedstock, as previously described, which in this case may boil above 400 F., is passed through line 29 to hydrotreating zone 30 containing a catalyst, as previously described, having hydrofining and/or hydrogenation activity. The feedstock is hydrofined and/or hydrogenated, and partially hydrocracked, if desired, in zone 30, at conditions previously described, in the presence of hydrogen supplied through line 31. The effluent from zone 30 is passed through line 32, without intervening impurity removal, into hydrocracking zone 33, where it is hydrocracked in the presence of a hydrocracking catalyst comprising a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component and 0.01 to 2.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component, of platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium or nickel, and 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component, of gold. Said catalyst may contain other catalytic components, and a separate second catalyst may be present in zone 33, as described in connection with zone 2 in FIG. 1. Hydrotreating zone 30 and hydrocracking zone 33 may be located in separate reactor shells, which may be operated at different pressures. Alternatively, and in a preferred manner of operation, hydrotreating zone 30 and hydrocracking zone 33 may be separate catalyst beds located in a single pressure shell 34, and the effluent from zone 30 may be passed to zone 33 without intervening pressure letdown, condensation or impurity removal. The effluent from zone 33 is passed through line 35 to separation zone. 36, from which hydrogen is recycled through line 37 to hydrotreating zone 30. All or a portion of the recycled hydrogen may be passed through line 38 to hydrocracking zone 33, if desired. In separation zone 36, water entering through line 40 is used to scrub ammonia and other contaminants from the incoming hydrocarbon stream, and the ammonia, water and other contaminants are withdrawn from zone 36 through line 41..The effluent from zone 36 is passed through line 42 to distillation column 43, where it is separated into fractions, including a C fraction which is withdrawn through line 44, a C -l80" F. fraction which is withdrawn through line 45, a l80-400 F. fraction which is withdrawn through line 46, and a fraction boiling above 400 F. which is withdrawn through line 47. The fraction in line 47 may be recycled through lines 48 and 49 to hydrocracking zone 33. All or a portion of the fraction in line 48 may be recycled to hydrotreating zone 30 through line 50, if desired.

Still referring to FIG. 2, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the l80400 F. fraction in line 46 may be passed to a catalytic reforming zone 55, where it may be reformed in the presence of a conventional catalytic reforming catalyst under conventional catalytic EXAMPLES The following examples are given for the purpose of further illustrating the practice of the process of the present invention. However, it is to be understood that these examples are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1 A catalyst consisting of gold, palladium, and a layered claytype crystalline aluminosilicate (Catalyst A, a catalyst in accordance with the present invention) was prepared in the following manner.

These starting materials were used:

1. 500 grams of a layered synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate mineral as described in Granquist US. Pat. No. 3,252,757;

2. 1,250 ml. of an aqueous solution containing 4.2 grams palladium chloride (PdCl,) and 3.85 grams auric chloride (AuCl HCl in an amount of 14 ml. was added to dissolve the PdCl,.

The mineral, in lumpy powder form, was mixed with the aqueous solution to form a pasty mass. The pasty mass was dried in a vacuum at 200250 F. The resulting material was broken into small pieces, and then calcined. The calcined catalyst contained 0.5 weight percent palladium, calculated as metal and based on the cracking component, and contained 0.5 weight percent gold, calculated as metal and based on the cracking component.

EXAMPLE 2 A layered aluminosilicate-palladium catalyst (Catalyst B, a comparison catalyst) was prepared in the following manner.

These starting materials were used:

l. 500 grams of A layered clay-type aluminosilicate in finely divided form.

2. 6.8 grams of tetra ammino palladium nitrate [Pd(Nl-l,).

](N0 dissolved in 700 ml. of 11,0.

The layered aluminosilicate in powder form was mixed with the tetra ammino palladium nitrate solution, to form a pasty mass. The pasty mass was dried in a vacuum oven for 6 hours at room temperature, then at 200250 F. for approximately 16 hours. The resulting material was tabletted, and then calcined in flowing dry air for 4 hours at 460 F., then for 4 hours at 900 F. The resulting catalyst upon analysis was found to contain 0.5 weight percent palladium, calculated as metal.

EXAMPLE 3 A catalyst (catalyst C, a comparison catalyst) is prepared exactly as in example 1, except that no palladium chloride is included in the starting materials.

EXAMPLE 4 The catalysts of the above examples are used to hydrocrack a portion of a light catalytic cycle oil feedstock of the following description:

Gravity, All 29.7 Aniline Point, F. 94.9 Sulfur Content, p.p.m. 0.3

Nitrogen content, p.p.m.

PNA Analysis:

P 9.9 vol.%

N 52.6 vol.%

A 37.5 volflv ASTM Dl I60 Distillation STIS 333/413 I/30 428/459 CATALYST A B C Starting Temperature, 'F. 514 514 650 Fouling Rate, 'FJhour I 0.06 0.24

Of these catalysts, Catalyst A is the superior catalyst, because it combines a high activity with a low fouling rate.

CONCLUSIONS Applicant does not intend to be bound by any theory for the unexpected superior activity and stability of the catalysts of the present invention. However, he assumes that the favorable results are largely attributable to: l) a different, and more favorable, equilibrium at a given operating temperature for the system consisting of gold metal, the various gold oxides, the various gold sulfides, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium or nickel, the various oxides of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium or nickel, the various sulfides of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium or nickel, and sulfur and hydrogen, than for the system consisting of platinum metal, platinum oxide, platinum sulfide, sulfur and hydrogen, which provides a hydrocracking catalyst superior to the Rabo et a1. noble-metal-containing catalyst; and (2) an interaction between the effect of gold or a gold compound and a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component that produces more favorable hydrocracking results than are produced by any interaction between the effect of gold or a gold compound and a gel-type silica-alumina cracking component.

It has been shown that the process of the present invention has advantages over conventional hydrocracking processes, particularly in that the hydrocracking catalyst comprising a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component, a gold or gold compound hydrogenating component, and a hydrogenating component selected from platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, nickel, and compounds of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and nickel is nitrogen-tolerant and sulfur-tolerant, has a high stability, and has high cracking activity.

What is claimed is:

l. A hydrocracking catalyst comprising a layered clay-type aluminosilicate cracking component, 0.01 to 2.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as the metal, of a hydrogenating component selected from platinum and compounds thereof, palladium and compounds thereof, iridium and compounds thereof, ruthenium and compounds thereof, rhodium and compounds thereof and nickel and compounds thereof, and 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as the metal, of a hydrogenating component selected from gold and compounds of gold, said cracking component having, prior to drying and calcining of said catalyst, the empirical formula nSiO, A1 0 mAB :xl-bO where the layer lattices comprise said silica, said alumina, and said B, and where n is from 2.4 to 3.0

m is from 0.2 to 0.6

A is one equivalent of an exchangeable cation having a valence not greater than 2, and is external to the lattice,

B is chosen from the group of negative ions which consists of F, 011*, A0 and mixtures thereof, and is internal in the lattice, and

x is from 2.0 to 3.5 at 50 percent relative humidity, said mineral being characterized by a d spacing at said humidity within the range which extends from a lower limit of about 10.4 Angstroms to an upper limit of about 12.0 Angstroms when A is monovalent, to about 14.7 Angstroms when A is divalent, and to a value intermediate between 12.0 Angstroms and 14.7 Angstroms when A includes both monovalent and divalent cations.

2. A catalyst as in claim 1, which further comprises a matrix containing a component selected from alumina gel and silicaalumina gel.

3. A catalyst as in claim 2, which further comprises at least one hydrogenating component selected from group Vl metals and compounds thereof.

4. A catalyst as in claim 2, wherein said layered clay type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component is in particulate form, and is dispersed through said matrix.

5. A catalyst as in claim 2, which further comprises titania.

6. A catalyst as in claim 4, wherein said layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component is substantially in the ammonia or hydrogen form and is substantially free of any catalytic metal or metals, and wherein said hydrogenating components are contained in said matrix.

7. A catalyst as in claim 6, which further comprises titania.

8. A catalyst comprising:

A. a dehydrated layer-type, crystalline, claylike mineral cracking component which prior to dehydration has the empirical fonnula nSlO, A1 0 mAB :xlhO,

where the layer lattices comprise said silica, said alumina, and said B, and where n is from 2.4 to 3.0 m is from 0.2 to 0.6 A is one equivalent of an exchangeable cation having a valence not greater than 2, and is external to the lattice, B is chosen from the group of negative ions which consists of F, OH, %0" and mixtures thereof, and is internal in the lattice, and x is from 2.0 to 3.5 at 50 percent relative humidity, said mineral being characterized by a d spacing at said humidity within the range which extends from a lower limit of about 10.4 A to an upper limit of about 12.0 A when A is monovalent, to about 14.7 A when A is divalent, and to a value intermediate between 12.0 A and 14.7 A when A includes both monovalent and divalent cations, and

B. A hydrogenating component selected from platinum and compounds thereof, palladium and compounds thereof, rhodium and compounds thereof, ruthenium and compounds thereof, nickel and compounds thereof, and iridium and compounds thereof, in an amount of 0.01 to 2.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as metal, and a hydrogenating component selected from gold and compounds thereof, in an amount of 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as metal.

9. A catalyst as in claim 8, wherein said mineral is present in an amount of 10 to 99.9 weight percent, based on the total catalyst.

10. A catalyst as in claim 8, which further comprises a crystalline zeolitic molecular sieve component, in the amount of l to 50 weight percent, based on the total catalyst.

11. A catalyst as in claim 8, wherein A is chosen from the group consisting of H, Nl-lf, Na", Li, K, %Ca**, %Mg**, lSr ztBa and mixtures thereof.

12. A hydrocracking process which comprises contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock containing substantial amounts of materials boiling above 200 F. and selected from the group consisting of petroleum distillates, solvent-deasphalted petroleum residue, shale oils and coal tar distillates, in a reac tion zone with hydrogen and the catalyst of claim 1, at hydrocracking conditions including a temperature in the range 400 to 950 F., a pressure in the range 800 to 3,500 p.s.i.g., a liquid hourly space velocity in the range 0.1 to 5.0 and a total hydrogen supply rate of 200 to 20,000 s.c.f. of hydrogen per barrel of said feedstock, and recovering from said reaction zone valuable products, including gasoline.

13. A process as in claim 12, wherein said catalyst further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of alumina gel and silica-alumina gel.

14. A process as in claim 13, wherein said catalyst further comprises at least one hydrogenating component selected from the group consisting of Group Vl metals and compounds thereof.

15. A process as in claim 12, wherein said hydrocarbon feedstock contains 0.5 to L000 p.p.m. organic nitrogen.

16. A process as in claim 12, wherein said reaction zone contains, in addition to said catalyst, a separate second catalyst-comprising a hydrogenating component selected from group Vl metals and compounds thereof, a hydrogenating component selected from group Vlll metals and compounds thereof, and a component selected from the group consisting of alumina and silica-alumina.

17. A process as in claim 16, wherein said separate second catalyst is located in said reaction zone in a bed disposed above said catalyst comprising a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component.

18. A hydrocracking process which comprises sequentially contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock and hydrogen with a first bed of catalyst and then with a second bed of catalyst, said catalyst beds both being located within a single elongated reactor pressure shell, said first bed of catalyst being located in an upper portion of said shell, the catalyst of said first bed comprising a hydrogenating component selected from the group consisting of group Vl metals and compounds thereof and group VIII metals and compounds thereof and a component selected from the group consisting of alumina and silicaalumina, the catalyst of said second bed being the catalyst of claim 1, maintaining said first bed of catalyst and said second bed of catalyst at a temperature in the range 400 to 950 F. and a pressure in the range 800 to 3,500 p.s.i.g. during said contacting, maintaining the total supply rate of said hydrogen into said reactor shell from 200 to 20,000 s.c.f. of hydrogen per barrel of said feedstock, and recovering a gasoline product from the effluent of said second bed of catalyst.

19. A process as in claim 18, wherein the effluent from said second bed of catalyst is separated into fractions, including a light gasoline fraction, a heavy gasoline fraction, and a fraction boiling generally higher than said heavy gasoline fraction.

20. A process as in claim 19, wherein said heavy gasoline fraction is catalytically reformed under conventional catalytic reforming conditions.

21. A process as in claim 19, wherein said fraction boiling generally higher than said heavy gasoline fraction is catalytically cracked under conventional catalytic cracking conditions.

# I t t Patent No. 3,617,489 Dated November 2, 1971 lnventor(s) slgmund M GIY It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 9, "Dec. 15, 1978" should read Oct. 20, 1987 Column 4, line 55, should read components to form a slurry, followed by addition of the layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate component (and additionally a crystalline zeolitic molecular sieve component, if desired) to the slurry in particulate form, followed byfiltering, washing and drying Column 7, line 30, "metal oxide" should read metal, metal oxide lines 44 and 45, cancel "ruthenium, or nickel, or compound of platinum palladium, iridium,". Column 11, line 63, "C fraction" should read C fraction Signed and sealed this 6th day of June 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

2. A catalyst as in claim 1, which further comprises a matrix containing a component selected from alumina gel and silica-alumina gel.
 3. A catalyst as in claim 2, which further comprises at least one hydrogenating component selected from group VI metals and compounds thereof.
 4. A catalyst as in claim 2, wherein said layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component is in particulate form, and is dispersed through said matrix.
 5. A catalyst as in claim 2, which further comprises titania.
 6. A catalyst as in claim 4, wherein said layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component is substantially in the ammonia or hydrogen form and is substantially free of any catalytic metal or metals, and wherein said hydrogenating components are contained in said matrix.
 7. A catalyst as in claim 6, which further comprises titania.
 8. A catalyst comprising: A. a dehydrated layer-type, crystalline, claylike mineral cracking component which prior to dehydration has the empirical formula nSiO2 : A12O3 : mAB : xH2O, where the layer lattices comprise said silica, said alumina, and said B, and where n is from 2.4 to 3.0 m is from 0.2 to 0.6 A is one equivalent of an exchangeable cation having a valence not greater than 2, and is external to the lattice, B is chosen from the group of negative ions which consists of F , OH , 1/2 O and mixtures thereof, and is internal in the lattice, and x is from 2.0 to 3.5 at 50 perCent relative humidity, said mineral being characterized by a d001 spacing at said humidity within the range which extends from a lower limit of about 10.4 A to an upper limit of about 12.0 A when A is monovalent, to about 14.7 A when A is divalent, and to a value intermediate between 12.0 A and 14.7 A when A includes both monovalent and divalent cations, and B. A hydrogenating component selected from platinum and compounds thereof, palladium and compounds thereof, rhodium and compounds thereof, ruthenium and compounds thereof, nickel and compounds thereof, and iridium and compounds thereof, in an amount of 0.01 to 2.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as metal, and a hydrogenating component selected from gold and compounds thereof, in an amount of 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent, based on said cracking component and calculated as metal.
 9. A catalyst as in claim 8, wherein said mineral is present in an amount of 10 to 99.9 weight percent, based on the total catalyst.
 10. A catalyst as in claim 8, which further comprises a crystalline zeolitic molecular sieve component, in the amount of 1 to 50 weight percent, based on the total catalyst.
 11. A catalyst as in claim 8, wherein A is chosen from the group consisting of H , NH4 , Na , Li , K , 1/2 Ca , 1/2 Mg , 1/2 Sr , and 1/2 Ba and mixtures thereof.
 12. A hydrocracking process which comprises contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock containing substantial amounts of materials boiling above 200* F. and selected from the group consisting of petroleum distillates, solvent-deasphalted petroleum residua, shale oils and coal tar distillates, in a reaction zone with hydrogen and the catalyst of claim 1, at hydrocracking conditions including a temperature in the range 400* to 950* F., a pressure in the range 800 to 3,500 p.s.i.g., a liquid hourly space velocity in the range 0.1 to 5.0 and a total hydrogen supply rate of 200 to 20,000 s.c.f. of hydrogen per barrel of said feedstock, and recovering from said reaction zone valuable products, including gasoline.
 13. A process as in claim 12, wherein said catalyst further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of alumina gel and silica-alumina gel.
 14. A process as in claim 13, wherein said catalyst further comprises at least one hydrogenating component selected from the group consisting of Group VI metals and compounds thereof.
 15. A process as in claim 12, wherein said hydrocarbon feedstock contains 0.5 to 1,000 p.p.m. organic nitrogen.
 16. A process as in claim 12, wherein said reaction zone contains, in addition to said catalyst, a separate second catalyst comprising a hydrogenating component selected from group VI metals and compounds thereof, a hydrogenating component selected from group VIII metals and compounds thereof, and a component selected from the group consisting of alumina and silica-alumina.
 17. A process as in claim 16, wherein said separate second catalyst is located in said reaction zone in a bed disposed above said catalyst comprising a layered clay-type crystalline aluminosilicate cracking component.
 18. A hydrocracking process which comprises sequentially contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock and hydrogen with a first bed of catalyst and then with a second bed of catalyst, said catalyst beds both being located within a single elongated reactor pressure shell, said first bed of catalyst being located in an upper portion of said shell, the catalyst of said first bed comprising a hydrogenating component selected from the group consisting of group VI metals and compounds thereof and group VIII metals and compounds thereof and a component selected from the group consisting of alumina and silica-alumina, the catalyst of sAid second bed being the catalyst of claim 1, maintaining said first bed of catalyst and said second bed of catalyst at a temperature in the range 400* to 950* F. and a pressure in the range 800 to 3,500 p.s.i.g. during said contacting, maintaining the total supply rate of said hydrogen into said reactor shell from 200 to 20,000 s.c.f. of hydrogen per barrel of said feedstock, and recovering a gasoline product from the effluent of said second bed of catalyst.
 19. A process as in claim 18, wherein the effluent from said second bed of catalyst is separated into fractions, including a light gasoline fraction, a heavy gasoline fraction, and a fraction boiling generally higher than said heavy gasoline fraction.
 20. A process as in claim 19, wherein said heavy gasoline fraction is catalytically reformed under conventional catalytic reforming conditions.
 21. A process as in claim 19, wherein said fraction boiling generally higher than said heavy gasoline fraction is catalytically cracked under conventional catalytic cracking conditions. 